British Weather Terms

There is no doubt, weather elements like rain, snow, heat, storms, droughts are global phenomena. However, before the day and age of inter-continental traveling, satellites and radar, weather always had a sudden and highly unpredictable impact on local farmers and fishermen. Regional climate and weather phenomena are often as typical as the landscape where they are ocurring and thus often have local names, too. Here, we present a selection of typical British weather terms. This selection is by no means complete and if you should know one or more terms that we have missed, please let us know.

All-hallown summer (Also called Allhallow summer, All Saints' summer)In English folklore, an old name for a period, like Indian summer, of unseasonable warmth, supposed to occur on the eve of All Hallows day (All Saints Day, November 1). It is mentioned by Shakespeare, but its use appears to have died out.

ban-gullSummer sea breeze of Scotland.

barberAt sea, a severe storm, carrying sleet, snow or spray, when the temperature is close to feezing.

Blackthorn winterIn England, cold dry winds in the Thames Valley during March and April.

double tide (Also agger, gulder)A double-headed tide with a high water consisting of two maxima of similar height separated by a small depression (double high water), or a low water consisting of two minima separated by a small elevation (double low water). Very common in the Channel.

Robin Hood's windIn Yorkshire, a local name for a cold and raw northeasterly wind along the E coast and especially around the Whitby area.

scorcherIn England, a very hot day or a period of very hot weather

Scotch mistA combination of thick mist (or fog) and heavy drizzle occurring frequently in Scotland and in parts of England.

sea turnIn England, a wind coming from the sea, often bringing mist.

sizzlerIn England, a very hot day.

St. Luke's summerIn English folklore, a period of fine, calm weather, similar to Indian summer, occurring in October.

St. Martin's summerIn English folklore, a period of fine, calm weather, similar to an Indian summer, occurring in November.

St. Swithin's DayIn English folklore, a day that is popularly supposed to govern the weather of the succeeding 40 days; specifically, if it rains on St. Swithin's Day, 15 July, it will continue to rain for 40 days.